Global wireless prepaid roaming

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of global wireless roaming, and more particularly to the application of prepaid services to global roaming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prepaid telephone services entitle the owner or representative of the prepaid services to make phone calls debited against a stored value account. Initially, such prepaid services were limited to land line phones, but more recently, prepaid services have been extended to wireless phones as well. Such prepaid wireless services have captured a significant portion of the wireless market, and the prepaid wireless services portion is capturing market share growth even more rapidly than the wireless communications field in general. The ability to use such wireless prepaid services in a global roaming environment would be extremely attractive, but such a realization is hampered by limitations associated with the existing infrastructure.

Specifically, although next generation mobile switching centers which monitor and report real-time call details currently do exist, implementation is not yet pervasive and certainly not universal. Therefore, the current prepaid infrastructure does not support global wireless roaming; that is, global roaming is available only on a post-paid basis. Prior art attempts at providing global wireless roaming all inherently include one or more of the following shortcomings: (i) available only on a post-paid basis, (ii) all traffic must be connected through the provider home country, and/or (iii) real-time account decrementing (for prepaid accounts) is only available on a flat rate basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other limitations associated with the prior art are overcome by utilizing a global prepaid roaming services method and apparatus in which a roaming phone located in a first region places an outgoing call to a destination party in a second region, and responsive to placing the call, a service processing node (SPN) establishes a first call connection between the roaming phone and the SPN, a second call connection between the SPN and the destination party is established, and the SPN bridges the first and second call connections to establish a call connection between the roaming phone and the destination party.

In second embodiment of the present invention, a call originating in a first region to a wireless phone roaming in a second region in a global prepaid roaming services scheme, is established by signaling from the first region to a home region associated with the wireless phone in order to determine that the wireless phone is roaming in the second region; signaling a cellular-switching center (CSC) in the second region, responsive to the determination that the wireless phone is roaming in the second region, to inform the CSC in the second region of a call connection request to the wireless phone; routing the call, responsive to the call connection request, from the CSC in the second region to a service processing node (SPN) in the second region and establishing a first call connection from the originating first region to the SPN in the second region; launching a message from the SPN in the second region to the wireless phone, the message instructing the wireless phone to establish a second call connection with the SPN in the second region; and bridging the first call connection with the second call connection, responsive to establishing the second call connection with the SPN.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network architecture utilized for global wireless prepaid roaming, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary cell-phone switching center, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary service processing node, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary central prepaid accounts data center, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a representation of an exemplary prepaid accounts database used in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary prepaid product rules database used in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for roaming mobile phone detection and registration, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for establishing an outgoing call from a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for placing an incoming call to a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network architecture utilized for global wireless prepaid roaming incorporating a global assistant, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for obtaining call services through the use of a global assistant, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for placing an incoming call to a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating yet another exemplary method for placing an incoming call to a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating yet another exemplary method for roaming mobile phone detection and registration, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Three possible implementations with which to provide global prepaid roaming for wireless phones are presented:

Implementation 1

Prepaid calls to a given region may all be directed to a common node that has real-time call detail, monitoring, and billing capability. The node bills each call in real-time, decrements an account's prepaid value in real-time, and terminates a call when the prepaid value is approached or exhausted. A major disadvantage associated with this implementation is that a service provider must build an infrastructure with several such nodes per region to provide service coverage, to minimize the costs of long distance calls, and to distribute call processing.

Implementation 2

Roaming customers are allowed to use only some percentage of prepaid value in their prepaid accounts. When the call is completed, the prepaid account is decremented for the charges incurred. However, this approach is prone to fraudulent usage and/or overcharges, as there is no way to recover the cost of call connection fees in excess of the value originally available in the prepaid account.

Implementation 3

Within the home area where real-time call measurement is possible, a prepaid methodology is followed. Outside the home area, a post-paid methodology is used. This method also is susceptible to lost service fees for the same reasons described in conjunction with Implementation 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network architecture utilized for global wireless prepaid roaming, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. Illustratively, three regions or countries (countries a-through c <b>100</b><i>a-c</i>) are shown, although the number of regions or countries in which the present invention may be implemented is virtually unlimited. Furthermore, although for descriptive purposes each region is referred to as a country, the principles of the present invention apply equally to implementations in which several regions exist within a single country, or alternatively, in implementations in which several countries exist within a single region. Each region or country maintains at least one Cell-phone Switching Center (CSC) <b>110</b><i>a-c</i>. The CSCs are wireless switching centers for any cell-phone service provider. In at least one region or country, a Central Prepaid Accounts Data Center (CPADC) <b>120</b> is located. Other regions/countries have one or more service processing nodes (SPNs). Again for illustrative purposes only, a single SPN <b>130</b><i>a,b </i>per country is shown. The CPADC <b>120</b> maintains the functionality of a SPN, and in addition includes additional functionality, subsequently described. The CSCs <b>110</b><i>a-c </i>are interconnected by communication links <b>160</b><i>a-c </i>via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and other proprietary and non-proprietary wireless cellular networks <b>140</b>, in a well known manner. The SPNs and CPADC are interconnected via data communication links <b>170</b><i>a-c </i>to network, here illustrated as the Global Prepaid Roaming Data Network <b>150</b>. The Global Prepaid Roaming Network may be implemented over existing infrastructure which may include proprietary and non-proprietary networks. One such network over which the Global Prepaid Roaming Network may be implemented is via the Internet, although such an example is merely illustrative and not meant as a limitation. The CSCs are coupled to the servicing SPN or CPADC by communication links <b>180</b><i>a-c</i>. A single roaming wireless phone <b>190</b> is shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary cell phone switching center (CSC) <b>200</b>, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. As is well known in the art, the CSC <b>200</b> includes the functionality of a wireless/mobile switching center (MSC) <b>210</b> which manages the routing and switching of calls to and from serviced mobile phones. The Visitor Location Register (VLR) <b>220</b> is a database which includes information pertaining to cell-phones which are visiting (roaming) the region or country which the MSC <b>210</b> services. Each activated cell-phone has a registered home location and the corresponding home CSC <b>200</b> includes account and authorization information for each phone registered to the region or country that CSC <b>200</b> services. The Home Location Register (HLR) <b>230</b> is the database that maintains the current location information of cell phones registered with that CSC <b>200</b>, the home location. The elements of the recited CSC architecture are standard elements in the Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary service processing node (SPN) <b>300</b>, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. The call processor <b>310</b> performs well known call processing functions for calls originating or terminating at roaming cell phones. The call processor <b>310</b> also performs on-line real-time prepaid account management and call management functions. Memory <b>320</b> maintains databases and stores application programs used by the call processor <b>310</b>. The Prepaid Accounts Database (PAD) <b>330</b> includes prepaid account balance data corresponding to roaming cell phones. The Prepaid-Product Rules Database (PRD) <b>340</b> is used to maintain a set of rules used for particular services available to subscribers and rules for updating prepaid account data for a roaming phone based on the type of prepaid product bought by a user. The Cell Phone Roaming Agent Pool (CPRAP) <b>350</b> is a dynamically changing set of programs associated with individual roaming phones. Memory <b>320</b> also stores application program <b>360</b>, which includes instructions for controlling the call processor <b>310</b> in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the process described in conjunction with FIGS. 7-9 and <b>11</b>.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary central prepaid accounts data center (CPADC) <b>400</b>, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. The functionality associated with the CPADC <b>400</b> are the same as those associated with the SPN <b>300</b>. Additionally, the CPADC <b>400</b> maintains a Central Prepaid Accounts Database (CPAD) <b>430</b> in memory <b>420</b>. CPAD <b>430</b> stores prepaid account information for roaming phones operating in the global roaming system. The call processor <b>410</b> performs well known call processing functions for calls originating or terminating at roaming cell phones in the region serviced by the CPADC <b>400</b>. The CPADC <b>400</b> additionally performs on-line real-time prepaid account management and prepaid call management functions. The Prepaid Product Rules Database (PRD) <b>440</b> and Cell Phone Roaming Agent Pool (CPRAP) <b>450</b> are similar to PRD <b>340</b> and CPRAP <b>350</b> associated with a SPN <b>300</b> as described in conjunction with FIG. <b>3</b>. Memory <b>420</b> also stores program <b>450</b> which includes instructions for controlling the processor <b>410</b> in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the process described in conjunction with FIGS. 7-9 and <b>11</b>.

With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is understood that the various rows and columns illustrated as comprising the databases represent records and fields, respectively. Thus, in each of the various described embodiments, the databases are used in a relational arrangement, as is known in the art, so that the databases relate to one another by way of fields that store common pertinent data. It is noted that while the following description refers to specific individual databases, formats, records, and fields, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a representation of an exemplary prepaid accounts database (PAD) <b>500</b> used in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. The PAD <b>500</b> stores data relating to prepaid accounts that are maintained for prepaid account holders. Each record (row) of database <b>500</b> represents such an account. For exemplary purposes two records, row R<b>1</b> and R<b>2</b>, are shown. Field <b>510</b> stores a prepaid account identifier that is associated with and that uniquely identifies a specific prepaid account. Field <b>520</b> is used to store the prepaid phone number associated with the account. Field <b>530</b> stores the prepaid account balance.

FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary prepaid product rules database (PRD) <b>600</b> used in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. The PRD <b>600</b> stores data relating to one or more prepaid accounts. One record (row) of the PRD <b>600</b> is maintained for each prepaid account. For exemplary purposes two records, R<b>3</b> and R<b>4</b>, are shown. Field <b>610</b> stores a prepaid account identifier that is associated with and that uniquely identifies a specific prepaid account. Field <b>620</b> is used to store a prepaid-product identifier to that identifies one or more specific prepaid products associated with the account. Field <b>630</b> stores product rules corresponding to the identified prepaid product identifier <b>620</b>. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the product rules field <b>630</b> includes availability and rate information corresponding to roaming phone users in particular countries. The specific rules shown in FIG. 6 are merely illustrative, and it would be understood by those skilled in the art that any number of rules and rules-bases may be constructed and still operate in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for roaming mobile phone detection and registration, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>700</b>, a mobile phone user enters a country in which he must roam and switches on his cellular phone. The phone automatically detects a wireless transmission from the nearest MSC and responds by sending its cellular phone identification information to the MSC. In accordance with step <b>710</b>, the MSC receives the cellular phone identification information and thus detects the cellular phone and classifies the phone as a roaming phone, since the phone is not included in its HLR database. In accordance with step <b>720</b>, the MSC communicates with the home MSC of the roaming phone via the wireless cellular network <b>140</b>, authenticates the phone usage, and updates the HLR at the home location with the new location information for the roaming cellular phone. In accordance with step <b>730</b>, the MSC registers the roaming phone identification information in its VLR. In accordance with step <b>740</b>, the MSC launches an Executable Short Message Service (ESMS) message (or equivalent message) with application program content to the roaming cellular phone. The ESMS (or equivalent message) is used to configure the roaming cellular phone so that it will first contact the nearest SPN (or servicing SPN) when making an outgoing call (instead of having the MSC connecting the call directly to the called party). In accordance with step <b>750</b>, the home MSC sends information pertaining to the roaming cellular phone location to the central prepaid accounts data center (CPADC). Alternatively, instead of the MSC sending the information about the cellular phone and its location, the cellular phone itself sends an SMS message to the CPADC containing information such as location data of the MSC, wireless network identification of the MSC, and time-of-day, in addition to information specific to the roaming phone itself. The MSC related information is obtained by the roaming phone through the transmissions from the MSC during the cellular phone registration. In accordance with step <b>760</b>, the CPADC forwards the applicable prepaid account balance information, roaming phone product rules and program to the SPN nearest to or servicing the roaming cellular phone using a proprietary data network, such as the Global Prepaid Roaming Data Network, or in the alternative, a non-proprietary network, such as the Internet. Upon receipt and in accordance with step <b>770</b>, the SPN loads the information received from the CPADC corresponding to the roaming cellular phone into the prepaid accounts database (PAD), prepaid product rules database (PRD) and cell phone roaming agent pool (CPRAP) database, completing the roaming cellular phone registration process for roaming in the visited region or country.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for establishing an outgoing call from a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>800</b>, user enters the phone number of the called party into the roaming phone and presses the cell phone's call/send button. In accordance with step <b>810</b>, the roaming phone temporarily stores the called phone number in memory, and calls the number of the nearest/servicing local SPN establishing a call connection between the roaming phone and the SPN. In accordance with step <b>820</b>, the call processor of the servicing SPN acknowledges, and in response, the roaming phone sends its identification information and the phone number of the called party to the SPN. In accordance with step <b>830</b>, the SPN launches and utilizes the roaming agent application program for the roaming phone, and utilizes the prepaid accounts database and prepaid products rules database to provide calling service to the roaming phone. In accordance with steps <b>840</b> and <b>850</b>, the call processor temporarily detains call completion to verify whether the prepaid account and product rules permit completion of the phone call. For example, one such prepaid and product rules test prior to connecting a call is whether or not sufficient funds exist within the assigned prepaid account to permit call completion. In accordance with step <b>850</b>, if the call is not permitted, then the call completion process is aborted or otherwise terminated, preferably accompanied with an appropriately polite termination message from an announcement platform at the SPN, explaining the reason that the call attempt was not completed. If however, the call is permitted, then the call processor initiates a call connection from the SPN to the called number, in accordance with step <b>860</b>. Once connected, the called SPN bridges the call connection from SPN to called number with the call connection between the SPN and the roaming phone, thus establishing a call connection between the roaming phone and the called party at the called number. If the called party does not answer or is busy, the roaming phone call is disconnected. The call record and call details associated with a successfully placed call are monitored by the SPN call processor, in real-time, and the prepaid account balance is therefore updated (typically decremented) in real-time according to usage. If the prepaid account balance is exhausted, or an established threshold quantity is exceeded, the call connection may be terminated.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for placing an incoming call to a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>900</b>, a call made to the roaming phone is first directed to the home MSC. In accordance with step <b>910</b>, the home MSC refers to its HLR to determine the location in which the roaming phone is roaming. In response to this determination, the call is redirected to the MSC in the country/region in which the roaming phone is roaming. In accordance with step <b>920</b>, the call is redirected from the MSC to the SPN in the country/region in which the roaming phone is roaming, responsive to programming performed during initial registration of the roaming phone when powering up in the country/region. Prepaid account data and other pertinent phone information are initialized during the registration process and are already present at the country/region SPN. In accordance with steps <b>930</b>, <b>940</b>, the SPN call processor performs a check to determine whether the prepaid account and product rules permit completion of the phone call. For example, one such prepaid and product rules test prior to connecting a call is whether or not sufficient funds exist within the assigned prepaid account to permit call completion. If the call is not permitted, then the SPN call completion process is aborted or otherwise terminated, preferably accompanied with an appropriately polite termination message from an announcement platform at the SPN, explaining the reason that the call attempt was not completed, in accordance with step <b>970</b>. If however, the call is permitted, then a message, such as an SMS message, is sent from the SPN call processor to the roaming phone, informing the roaming phone that an incoming call is available and requesting the user of the roaming phone to enter a response (via keypad, voice recognition, or other device or method) indicating whether the user wishes to accept or reject the incoming call, in accordance with step <b>950</b>. Specific call data such as Caller ID information or call origination location may be supplied, if available, to aid the roaming phone user in making a response. If the roaming phone user wishes to accept the call, then data and application stored in the roaming phone SIM during registration directs the roaming phone to call the servicing SPN, in accordance with step <b>960</b>. The SPN call processor then bridges the call connection from the call originator to the SPN with the call connection between the roaming phone and the SPN, thus establishing a call connection between the calling party and the roaming phone. The call record and call details associated with a successfully placed call are monitored by the SPN call processor, in real-time, and the prepaid account balance is therefore updated (typically decremented) in real-time according to usage. If the prepaid account balance is exhausted, or an established threshold quantity is exceeded, the call connection may be terminated.

One illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10 in which a mobile phone user is assigned a global assistant <b>1000</b>. The global assistant <b>1000</b> is implemented within at least one SPN <b>130</b><i>a</i>, as an illustrative example. The global assistant <b>1000</b> may be implemented in the SPN corresponding to the mobile phone's home country/region, although such a limitation is not a requirement, and therefore the global assistant <b>1000</b> may be implemented in the SPN of any country/region. The global assistant <b>1000</b> enhances the services available to the mobile phone user by enabling value-added services such as automated/manual outgoing proxy calls and sending or receiving faxes and e-mails. Other value-added services may also be included within the global assistant platform. Other than the additional functionalities associated with the addition of the global assistant <b>1000</b>, a detailed description of FIG. 10 is the same as that presented in conjunction with FIG. <b>1</b>.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for obtaining call services through the use of a global assistant, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>1100</b>, a global assistant service feature is requested by pressing a designated button or combination of buttons on the keypad of a roaming phone (although other means for requesting global assistant services may also be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, such as voice recognition). In accordance with step <b>1110</b>, the programmed SIM of the roaming phone sends an SMS message to the global assistant through the nearest/servicing MSC that has registered the phone. In accordance with step <b>1120</b>, the global assistant verifies the prepaid account and product rule information for the phone and authenticates the access of service by the roaming phone. The global assistant then calls the roaming phone through PSTN and cellular wireless network. In accordance with step <b>1130</b>, when the user answers the call, a voice prompted message is delivered to the user prompting the user to select the desired service or function. In accordance with step <b>1140</b>, upon selection of a service or function, the global assistant provides the requested service subject to the adequacy of the prepaid account balance and service permissibility. Calls incoming to the roaming phone are handled in a similar manner as described earlier, except through a global assistant call processor instead of a regular call processor within a SPN.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for placing an incoming call to a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>1200</b>, a call made to the roaming phone is first directed to an SPN nearest to or servicing the caller (defined as SPN₁for purposes of this description). One method for routing the call to SPN₁is to use a toll-free or other specified phone number to call SPN₁. An alternative method for routing the call to SPN₁is for the caller to call the home location phone number assigned to the called party and the resulting call is then redirected to SPN₁. SPN₁then determines the Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) number of the roaming phone either (i) by querying the caller, or (ii) by referring to pre-stored phone number mapping tables. In accordance with step <b>1210</b>, SPN<b>1</b> sends the MSISDN number of the roaming phone to the home MSC and launches a request for the Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number (MSRN) of the roaming phone. In accordance with step <b>1220</b>, home MSC sends the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) associated with the roaming phone to the MSC servicing the roaming phone, and queries the MSC servicing the roaming phone to supply the MSRN of the roaming phone. In accordance with step <b>1230</b>, the MSRN sent by the MSC servicing the roaming phone is received by SPN<b>1</b> via the home MSC. In accordance with step <b>1240</b>, SPN<b>1</b> transmits its location information (for example, its Point Code in a Signaling System <b>7</b> (SS<b>7</b>) context) and the MSRN of the roaming phone to an SPN servicing the roaming phone (defined as SPN₂for purposes of this description). SPN₂is selected/determined by knowing the MSRN and location information for all of the SPNs, which are stored at SPN₁(as they are at all other SPNs as well). The information is sent to SPN₂using a proprietary data network, such as the Global Prepaid Roaming Data Network, or in the alternative, a non-proprietary network such as the Internet. In accordance with step <b>1250</b>, SPN₂utilizes the MSRN to call the roaming phone and holds the call upon response by roaming phone user. In accordance with step <b>1260</b>, SPN₂initiates a call to SPN₁utilizing the location information provided and then bridges the held call connection to the roaming phone with the call connection established between SPN₂and SPN₁. In accordance with step <b>1270</b>, SPN₁bridges the call connection from the originating caller to SPN₁with the call connection between the roaming phone and the SPN₁, thus establishing a call connection between the calling party and the roaming phone. In accordance with step <b>1280</b>, the call record and call details associated with a successfully placed call are monitored by the SPN call processor, in real-time, and the prepaid account balance is therefore updated (typically decremented) in real-time according to usage. If the prepaid account balance is exhausted, or an established threshold quantity is exceeded, the call connection may be terminated.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating yet another exemplary method for placing an incoming call to a roaming phone, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>1300</b>, a call made to the roaming phone is first directed to an SPN nearest to or servicing the caller (defined as SPN₁for purposes of this description). One method for routing the call to SPN₁is to use a toll-free or other specified phone number to call SPN₁. An alternative method for routing the call to SPN₁is for the caller to call the home location phone number assigned to the called party and the resulting call is then redirected to SPN₁. In accordance with step <b>1310</b>, SPN₁sends an SMS message to the roaming phone, the message including information concerning caller identification, SPN₁location information (Point Code in an SS<b>7</b> context), a call ID assigned by SPN₁to the call, and a command for the roaming phone to initiate a call the nearest or servicing SPN (defined as SPN₂for purposes of this description). In accordance with step <b>1320</b>, the SMS message reaches the roaming phone via the wireless cellular network through the home MSC and the MSC servicing the roaming phone. In accordance with step <b>1330</b>, the roaming phone SIM initiates call to the SPN₂and furnishes SPN₁location information and the call ID. The number associated with SPN₂is determined and stored within the roaming phone through the information sent to it by the CPADC during initial registration of the roaming phone. In accordance with step <b>1340</b>, SPN₂places its call connection with the roaming phone on hold, and initiates a call connection between SPN₂and SPN₁, utilizing the SPN location information (Point Code) earlier obtained and informing SPN₁that the call connection between SPN₁and SPN₂is associated with the call connection from the caller held at SPN₁having the corresponding call ID number. In accordance with step <b>1350</b>, SPN₁uses the call ID to identify the call connection from the caller held at SPN₁and bridges that call connection with the call connection between SPN₁and SPN₂, thus establishing a call connection between the calling party and the roaming phone. In Step <b>1360</b>, the call record and call details associated with a successfully placed call are monitored by the SPN call processor, in real-time, and the prepaid account balance is therefore updated (typically decremented) in real-time according to usage. If the prepaid account balance is exhausted, or an established threshold quantity is exceeded, the call connection may be terminated.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating yet another exemplary method for roaming mobile phone detection and registration, in accordance with the principles embodied in the present invention. In accordance with step <b>1400</b>, a mobile phone user enters a country in which he must roam and switches on his cellular phone. In accordance with step <b>1410</b>, the phone automatically detects wireless transmissions from multiple MSC operators servicing the region/location and responds by sending its cellular phone identification information to one of the MSCs detected. The MSC receives the cellular phone identification information and thus detects the cellular phone and classifies'the phone as a roaming phone, since the phone is not included in its HLR database. In accordance with step <b>1420</b>, the roaming phone sends an SMS message to the CPADC. The SMS message includes the network identities for the multiple MSCs it detected during step <b>1410</b> and information specific to the roaming phone itself. Alternatively or additionally, the SMS message may also contain information such as location data of the MSCs and/or time-of-day. In accordance with step <b>1430</b>, the CPADC determines the roaming phone location by table look-up (or other appropriate means) using the detected network identities and other information supplied by the roaming phone. In accordance with step <b>1440</b>, the CPADC sends roaming phone prepaid account information to the nearest/servicing SPN via the global prepaid roaming data network (or other non-proprietary network). In accordance with step <b>1450</b>, the servicing SPN launches an Executable Short Message Service (ESMS) message (or equivalent message) with application program content to the roaming cellular phone. The ESMS (or equivalent message) is used to configure the roaming cellular phone so that it will first contact the nearest SPN (or servicing SPN) when making an outgoing call (instead of having the MSC connecting the call directly to the called party). In accordance with step <b>1460</b>, the SPN loads the information received from the CPADC corresponding to the roaming cellular phone into the prepaid accounts database (PAD), prepaid product rules database (PRD) and cell phone roaming agent pool (CPRAP) database, completing the roaming cellular phone registration process for roaming in the visited region or country.

Each of the embodiments previously described represent varying methodologies for completing outgoing and incoming calls to a roaming phone. Each method for completing a call has associated with it certain call charges and overhead. That is, one methodology may be more cost efficient between a given set of locations, but another methodology may be more cost efficient between a different set of locations. One novel aspect of the present invention is the ability to dynamically select between various call connection methodologies based upon such parameters as caller location, called party location, and calling time, etc. Selection of a particular methodology over others is made utilizing rule-bases designed to optimize parameters such as call cost and/or user convenience, although other selection criteria may also be utilized.

The previous description merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. For example, in the description of the various embodiments of the present invention, it is assumed that the routing of information messages to and from SPNs are carried utilizing a network such as the Signaling System <b>7</b> (SS<b>7</b>) network. Furthermore, routing and other information exchange has been described in the context of use of Short Message Service (SMS) messages. However, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other means and networks may also be used. Therefore, use of various networks/protocols/technologies, such as the Internet, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Transmission Control Protocol/lnternet Protocol (TCP/IP), or Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), for communication between SPNs is fully contemplated and are included within the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

The functions of the various elements shown in the FIGs., including functional blocks labeled as “processors” may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

In the claims hereof any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elements which performs that function or b) software in any form, including, therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform the function. The invention as defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. Applicant thus regards any means which can provide those functionalities as equivalent as those shown herein.